10 28 2009

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS Pages 1-3

OPINIONS

Volume 99, Issue 27

28

WEDNESDAY

OCT

www.UniversityStar.com

Vying to serve

Homecoming kicks off

For exclusive interviews with City Council candidates about the river, noise ordinance, barhour extension and more, see UniversityStar.com

Page 4

World leader ranks low on healthcare issue

By Amanda Givens News Reporter

TRENDS Pages 5-6 Comedy club brings live entertainment A crew of comedians is intent on sparking an entertainment revival from its headquarters at Corridor Comedy Club.

Making Adjustments: Texas State educates approximately 400 international students Liudmila Litvinova travels home once a year, but to do so she has an eight-hour flight across the Atlantic, followed by a seven-hour flight from Germany to Russia.

Tina Phan/Star photo GO BOBCATS: Students gathered Tuesday at the LBJ Amphitheater for school-spirit showdown between greeks, residence halls and athletes in the inaugural Homecoming Kickoff Rally.

By Maurah Ruiz News Reporter

DIVERSIONS Page 7

SPORTS Pages 8

Joe Knows: Favre faces Packers Extreme sport takes skill, practice: It may never be considered the “American sport,” but paintball has been a popular hobby for decades.

Today’s Weather

78°/69° Partly Cloudy Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 72% UV: 6 High Wind: SSE 19mph

Thursday

T-Storms Temp: 79°/53° Precip: 80%

Friday

Showers Temp: 65°/47° Precip: 40%

Texas State students will have the option to register for classes in San Antonio beginning next fall.

“Texas State is in the early stages of program development in San Antonio,” said Debbie Thorne, associate vice president for academic affairs. “We are confident that, over time, the university will expand its offering in San Antonio.”

Thorne said Texas State officials plan to offer courses, which have not been determined, at the Alamo University Center beginning in fall 2010.

Thorne confirmed the Alamo Community College District owns an existing building that was recently converted and renovated for

educational use.

Thorne said the center has approximately 75,000 square feet of space dedicated to classrooms, offices, a library, labs, student services, tutoring and instructional technology support.

Thorne said the university will utilize the same approach used in the Round Rock Higher Education Center. The center includes considering employer needs, student interests, competitive offerings, economic viability and other factors.

“There is no merger and we are not joining a new university system,” Thorne said. “We will be one of several partners utilizing a location that expands our ability to serve the higher education needs of San Antonio and surrounding areas.” see CAMPUS, page 3

Education students dominate enrollment

Paranormal Activity not intended for all audiences

It’s easy to be green: “Green man” suits, drums, soccer and Boko may seem random when put together, but they all have something in common.

Partnership with Alamo Colleges offers classes in San Antonio

Sara Strick/Star photo GETTING LOUD: Chris Covo, Tommy Luna, Zackary Bartel and Jennifer Kraft show support for the Bobcats Tuesday at the inaugural Homecoming Kickoff Rally at the LBJ Amphitheater.

See page 5 for story

Possible after-hours permit brings mixed reviews

By Amanda Givens News Reporter Students parking on campus at night may soon find comfort in a proposed after-hours permit.

ASG University Relations Committee officials are discussing introducing a proposal to allow commuters to have a pass to park on campus at night.

Sen. Colter Ray said the pass would be for students who utilize the bus system, but need to park at night for events and student organization meetings. Ray said he believes the students on campus would

support the proposal.

“We currently have three senators researching information about after-hours parking permits and which universities are using these,” Ray said.

Ray said he is skeptical about how the administration may respond to the proposal for fear that students would stop buying commuter passes.

According to the Parking Services Web site, permits are mandatory at all times. There are never “after hours.”

UPD Chief Ralph Meyer said there would likely not be an advantage in introducing a new permit because all the parking lots, except one, have

access in the evening hours.

“I have not seen nor known of the evening permit,” Meyer said. “But there would be an increase in enforcement cost.”

Bill Peeler, co-chair of the Transportation and Parking Committee, said the committee’s main role on campus is to make recommendations to University President Denise Trauth about parking issues.

“I don’t feel comfortable commenting on an undocumented and unpublished piece of work,” Peeler said. “ASG has not voiced its interest with the

ing trend.

Last summer, admissions office officials submitted a policy of their own to Stephanie Anderson, vice president of undergraduate admissions, outlining how they would use Web sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Flickr to provide information for and recruit new students.

Beverly Woodson Day, interim associate director of undergraduate admissions, said Facebook is the most important of these Web sites.

“Twitter is a little personal, ‘Hey I’m over here, I’m over there’,” Day said. “We don’t

need all of that. We need the basic information in-your-face kind of thing, and I think Facebook is the way to go.”

Currently, the admissions office has a Facebook “fanpage.” The page provides office hours, photos of campus life, Bobcat Day reminders and other university information.

Some admissions counselors created their own Facebook pages to provide a personal contact for interested students.

Day said counselors’ Facebook pages are professional.

“We’re basically putting information out there,” Day said.

“It’s just a way for people to

see PARKING, page 3

Students returning to college for master’s or Ph.D degrees are not all science or business majors.

Among the 4,221 students seeking master’s and doctoral degrees — including professional students — approximately 1,390 are education students.

“Education is definitely where you see more and more students enrolling,” said Michael Willoughby, dean of the Graduate College. “Students are returning to receive teacher’s certification. Some students have a bachelor’s degree in, let us say, engineering.

However, as they go into the world of work now they realize they would rather teach.

This is why you see an influx of education students.”

Willoughby said the Graduate College has been ranked one of America’s best grad schools by U.S. News.

“We are well recognized and respected,” Willoughby said.

“Our MFA in creative writing is a top 10 program in the nation.

The faculty is highly engaged in research. They, in turn, involve the students. Here, students are not just a number in a large class. Participation is highly encouraged by our (faculty).”

The university’s graduate programs attract more than alumni.

“We recruit here, but it is not

a big emphasis,” he said. “We see a lot of students who graduated from other universities because of the good standing we have.”

Willoughby said Texas State is on the map in terms of education, staff and resources.

Heather Herron, wildlife biology freshman, said she plans to attend graduate school because many jobs cannot be obtained with solely a bachelor’s degree.

“If I don’t come to Texas State, I was thinking of going to Alaska,” she said. “I would come back here for my master’s degree because I’m already familiar with the campus and resources that are offered. It’s the logical choice.”

Herron said she would like to join the Peace Corps and a master’s degree would increase her chances of reaching a good standing with the organization.

A number of resources are offered for students to utilize as they return to further their education, Willoughby said.

“We have a program designed for students who are experiencing career changes,” he said. “Scholarship awards have also been very numerous.

There is also a way for students to apply for travel funds if they would like to travel for research purposes.”

Alyssa Valdez, pre-nursing sophomore, said she is plansee STUDENTS, page 3

Undergrad admission officials join Facebook

By Hollie O’Connor News Reporter The Texas State Admissions office has been making lots of new friends lately.

Kaplan, a subsidiary of the Washington Post Company, conducted a test prep and admissions survey, which said that out of 401 of the nation’s top colleges and universities, 21 percent are developing policies to help them use social networking sites, like Facebook, in the admissions process.

Texas State is participating in the growing social network-

get acclimated to the university, to see what is out there.

We won’t cross the line on that part.”

Courtney Vance, a senior at Lady Bird Johnson High School in San Antonio, said she finds Rallojay’s Facebook “friendship” helpful.

“The opportunity was great because I use Facebook more often than I use my own e-mail lately,” Vance said in a Facebook message. “I felt it was a really good idea for counselors to be in touch with students through our normal use of messaging.”

Admissions counselors are

getting Facebook pages, bu they do not look at the Facebook pages of “fans” to help with their decision, Day said.

The counselors use Facebook as a tool to help recruit and inform only, she said.

Day said the social networking trend is on the rise, and is not likely to go away anytime soon.

“E-mail is kind of becoming a thing of the past, and Facebook lets you connect with so many different people,” Day said. “We can connect to these students, and these students can connect to us. I think it will be around for a while.”

Page Two

2 - The University Star

STARS OF TEXAS STATE

Blanca Herrera is among 22 bilingual graduate social work students to receive $386,000 in full-tuition scholarships from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. Herrera, a first-generation U.S. resident, first became aware of the growing shortage of bilingual social workers during her undergraduate studies.

Her goal after graduation is to use her training, experience, knowledge and language skills to help people cope with life and social issues.

— Courtesy of University News Service

Texas State University – San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

ON THIS

DAY IN

HISTORY

1886: The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France, was dedicated in New York Harbor by President Grover Cleveland.

1976: Former Nixon aide John D. Ehrlichman entered a federal prison camp in Safford, Ariz., to begin serving his sentence for Watergate-related convictions.

2004: Insurgents executed 11 Iraqi soldiers and declared on an Islamic militant Web site that Iraqi fighters would avenge “the blood” of women and children killed in U.S. strikes on the guerrilla Hannah VanOrstrand/Star photo stronghold of Fallujah.

MODEL CITIZENS: Avery Knott, pre-communication studies freshman, and Mariana Perez, pre-theater freshman, model clothes from a 2005: Vice President Dick San Marcos boutique Tuesday afternoon.

Cheney’s top adviser, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, resigned after he was indicted on charges of of justice, Kathy Ybanez, a counselor educator at Texas TCA will honor Ybanez during an awards orrection obstruction perjury and making false State University, will be awarded the 2009 banquet Nov. 12 at the 53rd Annual Professional statements in the CIA leak Advocacy Award by the Texas Counseling Growth Conference in Dallas.

In Tuesday’s issue of The investigation. (Libby was Association (TCA).

“Kathy Ybanez is most deserving of TCA’s University Star, Alpha Delta convicted and sentenced Ybanez is highly invested in teaching her 2009 Advocacy Award. She has influenced Pi and the Hispanic Business to 30 months in prison. students about the important role advocacy elected and appointed officials, on behalf of Student Association will plays in setting public policy. Leading by action, professional counselors, in Washington D.C. President George W. Bush play in the Powder Puff Ybanez has met with congressional leaders and here in Texas,” Judy Nelson, President of commuted his sentence.) in Washington D.C. in addition to attending TCA, said. “Kathy also encourages her students Championship 8 p.m.

2006: Hall of Fame Thursday at Bobcat Stadium. basketball coach Red numerous legislative advocacy days in Texas. to develop their leadership skills through Mentoring her students to participate during personal meetings with state legislators.”

Auerbach died at age 89.

Counseling association awards student mentor

advocacy days, Ybanez helps shape the roles of and funding for professional counselors.

Ybanez will receive the 2009 Advocacy Award for demonstrating a strong commitment to the advocacy of professional counselors both in Texas and across the nation.

C

TCA, formed in 1947, is a non-profit —The Star regrets this error association that represents more than 6,000 professional counselors in a variety of specialties across the state.

– Courtesy of Texas Counseling Association

— Courtesy of New York Times

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

CRIME

BLOTTER

Oct. 20, 12:07 p.m.

Property Damage/N LBJ Drive A student accidentally damaged university property with her vehicle.

A report was made of the incident.

Oct. 20, 12:44 p.m.

Criminal Mischief-under $500/Alkek Parking Garage A nonstudent reported to a police officer university property had been intentionally damaged.

The case is under investigation.

Oct. 20, 3:11 p.m.

Medical Emergency/ Bobcat Village Apartments A student reported to a police officer she was having difficulty breathing. The student was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

Oct. 20, 6:48 p.m.

Property Damage - McCoy Business Building A student crashed his vehicle causing damage to university property (brick wall). The student was not injured and a report was made of the incident.

— Courtesy of University Police Department

News

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Students

continued from page 1 ning on going to the University Willoughby said students of Texas-San Antonio after re- who have answered surveys ceiving her bachelor’s degree to upon graduation leave the specialize in the nursing field. program generally satisfied “I wouldn’t like to stay here with their education. because the nursing school is “It is based on comments barely opening in 2010,” she and feedback students themsaid. “I want to go somewhere selves fill out and turn in to us,” that has been established for a he said. while and has a good name.”

Parking

continued from page

Transportation and Parking Committee.”

Peeler said the typical process for a parking legislation to be passed begins when Parking Services brings a recommendation to the committee to discuss and look at the logistics. The committee will decide whether to forward the proposal to the President’s Cabinet.

The President’s Cabinet decides whether to enact the proposal or discard it.

Jessica Torres, psychology junior, said it would be a great help to be able to have an after-hours pass because she normally uses the bus on weekdays.

Torres said she would use the permit for parking on weekends and nights.

“Actually, I had to come to

1

the library on campus this weekend and I was worried about the parking situation,” Torres said. “I think this would be a great solution.”

Ray would not comment on how much the possible afterhours parking permit would cost. Ray said if it could be accomplished, after-hour parking permits would be a new option for students to take into consideration.

“There are lots of people working on this at Texas State,” Ray said. “This proposal was briefly discussed at the end of last year, and it will be interesting to see what can be accomplished this time around.”

Sen. Kristopher Infante, political science sophomore and the member of ASG University Relations Committee did not return requests for comment.

It’s not all play for degree in video gaming

By Mara Rose Williams McClatchy Newspapers Menacing, metallic and mega-gun brandishing, the cyber super soldier looms over Richard Fleming’s desk.

Not exactly stereotypical for a professor’s office at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park?

Well, as the Gears of War crowd might say: “Eat boot!

Suck pavement! Get back into your hole!”

This professor under the Halo 3 figure teaches video game development. So lock and load, zappers of Nazi zombies or the locust horde.

All those hours wearing out your thumbs in front of Halo or Gears actually could mean a college degree and fast career path.

Before you drop your joystick, remember a degree in video game design is math and science laden. Or it could involve serious art skills. This year, 254 of the nation’s colleges and universities in 37 states have such programs, up 27 percent over the year before.

At first, computer information science program leaders resisted bringing in video game courses, recalled Jeff Huff, assistant professor of graphics at Missouri State at West Plains.

“They didn’t see them as worthy,” Huff said. “It was real easy to dismiss it by saying, ‘They are video games, how important could it be?’”

According to the Entertainment Software Association, which monitors the game industry, video game design is the fastest-growing industry in this country.

“A generation that has grown up playing video games is entering college,” said Rich Taylor at the association. “Schools are responding to that.”

Besides a favorite pastime, video games are developed for use in military training, education, Hollywood and for virtual training in a variety of fields including medicine and mechanics.

“In the last 12 years, software sales have quadrupled,” Taylor said, taking video game sales with it.

Games and game consoles reached $22 billion in sales last year. At a time when students are graduating into a shrinking job market, this industry is flourishing, Taylor said. More than 80,000 people are employed by the video game industry, said Taylor. “It is indicative of schools realizing that video game design is a viable industry.”

Most of the schools with video game programs are in

New York, Texas, North Carolina and California, with the University of California-Irvine recently establishing a center for games and virtual worlds research. The Midwest has its offerings, too. The Entertainment Software Association listed JCCC as the only school in Kansas with video game design degrees. JCCC began drafting its two-year associate’s degree programs in game development and animation in 2006 because that’s what students wanted. The school had four to six classes that dealt with game programming.

At the time, Fleming and a colleague, Jeff Byers, who teaches animation, were adjunct professors. Now they run the degree programs, which have three other instructors teaching 63 classes for the 64-credit-hour game-developing degree, and 47 classes for the 66-credit-hour animation degree.

They added four sections this year. Technology is moving so fast that every year instructors at the community college update class curriculums.

“As soon as we open a new animation section, it fills up within 24 hours,” said Kelly Gernhart, the school’s assistant dean of computer science and information technology.

Those with a flair for art and design who can create colorful characters and scenarios will not need the same level of computer science, but it is technology driven.

Video development provides the framework of the game – makes it operate – but, Fleming said, “It’s not too pretty to look at.”

Ben Mora of Olathe, Kan., is in the second year of his video animation degree. Mora played a lot of video games in high school. Then he started drawing animations.

“I thought, I love animation and I love video games; why not put them together?” Mora said.

Taylor said 68 percent of people of all ages play video games and 95 percent of young people play them. Video game consoles are in nearly 50 percent of the households in this country. Graduates with a twoyear associate’s degree are ready on day one to enter the job market. Some take their video game degree to a fouryear school for a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Out in the world, video game design is deemed recession resistant. And the pay is great. The average video game designer job starting out pays about $55,000 a year. With five years of experience, young designers make in the range of $90,000 a year.

universitystar.com universitystar.com universitystar.com

Campus

continued from page

According to the June Alamo Colleges Roundup newsletter, the colleges’ Board of Trustees voted on submitting an application to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for establishing the Alamo University Center and Multi-Institutional Teaching Center in their May meeting.

The center is going to be located in north San Antonio at the former campus of Northeast Lakeview Colleges at 8300 Pat Booker Road in Live Oak. Provost Perry Moore said Thorne is the individual at Texas State most closely related with the project.

“I look forward to the development of the Alamo University Center and the opportunity for Texas State to better meet the upper level and graduate educational needs of north San Antonio,” Moore said.

Thorne said the San Antonio area will be welcoming thousands of military families within the next few years because of the nation’s plan for military base realignment

The University Star - 3

1

and closure.

“Texas State has a long history of working well with veterans, and the AUC is a compelling location to expand such efforts,” Thorne said.

Thomas Wright, biology junior from San Antonio, said he thinks the program offerings in San Antonio are a “cool idea.”

“I personally think moving away from home is an experience everyone should have,” Wright said. “But, for some people this would be a great idea.”

Wright said he would consider taking summer classes in San Antonio rather than coming to San Marcos.

Thorne said the San Marcos campus will always remain the primary place for students to find the most offerings of classes as well as student services.

“We work diligently to ensure students love going to Texas State, whether they attend class in Round Rock, San Marcos, San Antonio, another location or online,” Thorne said.

According to the Texas State Fall 2009 Preliminary Enrollment Report, there has been a 14.4 percent increase from the 1,523 students enrolled at Round Rock in fall 2008 to the 1,737 enrolled in 2009.

Thorne said there will be no difference in the admissions process, and students regardless of campus, will be able to utilize CatsWeb and related services to register for classes.

“The AUC occupies an existing building, which means there are no new construction costs,” Thorne said. “Texas State will only be responsible for paying its fair share based on use of classroom space, offices and so forth.”

Texas State will utilize existing professors to teach at the San Antonio location.

There will not be any professors hired to specifically teach at the San Antonio campus, Thorne said.

Thorne said much like Round Rock, the university is taking a formal approach in determining the best courses and programs to offer at the

new Alamo University Center location.

Eric Reno, Northeast Lakeview college president, said he could not comment on the progress of the center.

The Alamo Community Colleges District public relations department did not return a call for comment.

Eleven higher education institutions have expressed interest in participating in the initiative: Texas State Texas A&M-Kingsville Trinity University Texas Tech University of Texas-San Antonio Wayland Baptist University The University of the Incarnate Word Our Lady of the Lake University UT Health Science Center

Opinions

What’s your Opinion?

Send your thoughts to staropinion@txstate.edu

4 – The University Star

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Bike Cave needs funding, permanent home the main

point.

T he administration

may have chewed up and spit out the solution to one of their biggest problems.

The Bike Cave, a resource that allows students access to bikes and parts, has been forced to vacate the space they renovated and established as headquarters for its operation.

The space could potentially alleviate the headache commonly known as “parking.”

A new faculty member in the department of anthropology will use the Pedernales Building, sandwiched between the Trinity and Music buildings, to conduct research. The Bike Cave will be moved to the Colorado Building, which is approximately one-third the space of its current location.

According to an article in the Oct. 20 issue of The University Star, the new faculty member’s research brought in millions of dollars in grant money to the University of Texas, where he worked before coming to Texas State.

Encouraging faculty to pursue research is important and we would be hypocritical to suggest anything else. An article in Tuesday’s issue of The Star stressed the importance of pursuing research in light of the impending Proposition 4 vote.

The fact is, the workers at the Bike Cave dedicated long hours to make this space usable. Now they are being told something else is more important and deserving.

In the same article, David Mastuschak, a Bike Cave worker, said the move did not sit well with other workers.

“A lot of students put time in this and we aren’t even paid,” he said. “And now the university is saying ‘we don’t care.’”

Not only is this bad business, it is faulty reasoning.

Students, faculty and staff have voiced their concern and frustration about parking on campus. Students have resorted to stalking pedestrians in crowded lots hoping to find someone who is walking to their car. Adding parking garages is one way to fix this problem, but that can be costly and as this Bike Cave fiasco demonstrates, space on campus is limited. A great way to fix the problem is to encourage alternative forms of transportation to and from campus.

A bike rack is much cheaper than a parking garage.

The Bike Cave workers offers a valuable service for anyone concerned about transportation or the environment, but the sad fact is they are underutilized. The most likely explanation for why few students take advantage of this service is not lack of interest, but lack of knowledge.

If students are not aware of a service, it will go unused.

The Bike Cave and its workers deserve the space they worked for. In addition to revisiting this decision, the administration should consider giving funding to the Bike Cave to promote its cause and become a bigger presence on campus.

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board.

Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State UniversitySan Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.

Zach Ashburn/Star Illustration

Abstinence is only protection against STIs

By Tristan Watson Star Reporter

The decision to offer free Sexual Transmitted Infection screenings by the Student Health Center is under review, but students shouldn’t get optimistic. Offering a free screening to students will probably be denied. The Student Health Center already charges fees for services.

It is highly unlikely indi-

viduals will have access to anything free offered by the Health Center.

Truthfully, the Student Health Center doesn’t want to provide time, knowledge and labor for free. The move for free STI screenings would only become reality after a $4 rise in the medical service fee.

Shanna Shultz, political science junior, is responsible for researching the possibility of free STI screenings. She is reviewing this decision because of a grievance brought to ASG Sen. Colter Ray. Otherwise, accommodating struggling students is not priority No. 1 for the Student Health Center. If this were the case it wouldn’t cost $75 for

most STI tests. Currently, a herpes blood test costs $65, and this doesn’t include the cost of medicine, according to the Health Center Web site.

The least the Health Center can do is provide free STI sceenings for individuals who are sexually active. Limiting one free test for each student wouldn’t be adequate for those who are highly sexually active, and for those who don’t practice safe sex. The decision of free screenings should not have a limit and the Health Center should test students without restrictions.

However, if students would learn to start practicing abstinence, individuals would reduce their worry and stress of

contracting an STI or disease.

The invalid statements made

by David Wiley, professor in the department of health, physical education and recreation, is one reason why young adults in society are acquiring sexually transmitted infections at an alarming rate.

“Abstinence-only sex education teaches students not having sex is the only 100 percent sure way to not contract an STI,” Dr. Wiley said.

“This forgoes instruction on the proper use and effectiveness of condoms.”

Providing unsuited statements like this mislead students into believing casual sex is acceptable. Not having sex is the only 100 percent

sure way to avoid any and all STIs and diseases. Individuals know abstinence is the only effective way to remain STIfree.

Wiley should not be encouraging students to have premarital sex. Condoms and contraceptives are not 100 percent effective, and stating otherwise would be illogical.

Arguing the university educate students about responsible sexual practices at Paws Preview and orientation is not a decision that should even be considered.

The decision suggests Texas State is advocating students participate in casual sex. It would be an error by the administration to support any-

thing other than abstinence.

Nevertheless, since students are going to be sexually active anyway, the Health Center should be willing to make resources more accessible to students. If this means free STI screenings, the issue shouldn’t be overlooked.

Free STI screenings would greatly benefit sexually active students. Health Center officials can show its concern for individuals by providing free STI screenings to the students they claim to care about.

— Tristan Watson is a political science senior.

World leader ranks low on healthcare issue

By Arnie Williams Special to the Star The World Health Organization has ranked the United States No. 37 in health care.

Thirty-seven! We sit at the table at G8 summits as a leader in world affairs and deservedly so. We’re the world’s No. 1 superpower.

We are one of only five countries that have veto power on the United Nations Security Council. We rank No. 1 of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons. Yet we are No. 37 in health care.

If a catastrophic illness strikes citizens of France, Germany, England, Canada

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or any other democratic nation of the industrialized Western world, the only thing catastrophic would be the illness itself. If medical care can treat their sickness, no matter how “costly” to the provider or how long it takes, those citizens will get the needed care. They won’t end up homeless, penniless or relegated to a life of poverty for as long as they live with debt hanging over their heads that can never be repaid.

The same is not true for citizens of the United States.

In other Western democratic countries in the world, health care for its citizens is a right,

not a privilege. Along with citizenship rights are health care rights.

I had those rights when I served in the Navy for the years that the U.S. waged war against Vietnam. My military colleagues and I were never asked for our insurance card before we could be treated.

We were never denied health care because of a pre-existing condition. We never had our coverage cancelled, premiums raised or had to pay a deductible. No matter where we worked, we had treatment near at hand. If the facility that was nearest didn’t treat the kind of sickness we had, we were transported at

our provider’s expense to a health care facility that did.

Now years later, I have those same rights to health care as part of the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

When I go to Audie Murphy Medical Center in San Antonio, I am among a throng of veterans who are guaranteed treatment for whatever malady may befall them. And we don’t have to pay for it. We don’t pay because it’s a right, not a privilege.

That’s the way it should be– not for the military or veterans of the military, but for all of us. A single mother of three shouldn’t have to lie awake wondering what will happen

to her children if the results of her mammogram come back positive. A working family barely cruising above the poverty line, or below it for that matter, shouldn’t have to skip preventive care, tolerate a tooth ache or a lingering pain. They shouldn’t worry they are one illness away from homelessness.

It’s not right that in a country that prides itself on being at the top, we don’t have the best, most efficient, most affordable health care system in the world–a universal system that covers all of its citizens no matter what or for how long.

In a country with our re-

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sources, sense of pride and can-do spirit, how long do you really think it would take for the world to rank us No. 1 if we really wanted that coveted spot?

I bet this country could achieve that goal within a decade. But to get there means that enough of us have to press our representatives and senators in Congress to take that crucial first step by passing reform that includes the public option. Health care should be a right for every U.S. citizen.

— Arnie Williams is a social work graduate student.

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State UniversitySan Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright Wednesday, October 28. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

Trends Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Haunted Halls of Horror

San Saba is offering a Haunted House Thursday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the basement. The house will feature more horror than gore. Costumes may be inspired by new horror movies, but the old classics should be present. The event is free for all Texas State students with ID.

The University Star – 5

Bobcat pep rally encourages school spirit

By Brittany E Wilson Trends Reporter

Students walking near the LBJ Amphitheatre Tuesday were greeted by the roar of Texas State fans and cheerleaders motivating the crowd for the Saturday homecoming football game against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.

The cheerleaders engaged representatives from the greeks, residence halls and athletes in a yelling contest to see which group could show its Bobcat pride by being the loudest. The residence halls’ team was the winning group and will be the first to have possession of the new supersized spirit stick. The spirit stick will be on display in the LBJ Student Center for the rest of the year.

AJ DeGarmo, president of Al-

pha Tau Omega fraternity, said next year the greeks will have to win the spirit stick.

Hip Hop Congress entertained students by performing between cheers. According to the Texas State Web site, “The Hip Hop Congress uses the culture of hip-hop to inspire young people to get involved through social action, civic service and cultural creativity.”

Jillian Bliss, pre-mass communication freshman, attended the pep rally with her Chi Beta Delta sorority sisters. Bliss said because she is a freshman her experiences with pep rallies are limited to high school.

“I’m really proud of the cheerleaders for being brave and stunting on concrete, because as a cheerleader, I would never do that,” Bliss said.

The drum line performed a

Comedy club brings live entertainment

By Matthew Barnes Features Reporter

A crew of comedians is intent on sparking an entertainment revival from its headquarters at Corridor Comedy Club. They are doing it with burgers, beers and laughter.

“We are a group of comics who felt there was a need for more comedy, and we felt like San Marcos was a great location for it,” said Nicholas Aluotto, managing member of Corridor Comedy Club and stand-up comedian. “Live entertainment has kind of gone by the wayside, and we’ve just had so much of the Internet. Now people want to get out more.”

Aluotto said he is both a coach to the other comedians and a big part of the movement.

Steve Juliano Moore, stand-up comedian, performed at Corridor Comedy Club during the weekend.

“We’re getting together to get things going again,” Moore said.

“We’re in a recession, exactly the same position we were in before the big comedy boom of the ‘80s.”

Moore advocates more live entertainment.

“People who sit at home and watch comedy on the Internet and TV don’t have a clue about the energy. It’s a shadow of the real thing,” Moore said.

The club has only booked Texas comedians since its opening three months ago, Aluotto said.

Most performers come from the Austin-San Antonio Corridor, such as Bryan Gutmann, Seth Cockfield and Jay Whitecotton.

“It’s great to see comedians like that in the same room,” Aluotto said. “We were looking for a place to bridge the comedy scene between Austin and San Antonio.”

Local talents have performed at the club since its opening.

John Dittmar, computer sci-

ence freshman, performs at the open-mic nights and hosted the show this weekend.

Dittmar draws laughs by making light of his cerebral palsy disorder, such as how he is forced to play “rock, paper, hermit crab” because he cannot make scissors with his fingers.

“I think the greatest indicator of self-esteem is selfdeprecation — it’s a cathartic experience, being able to say it and make people respond,” Dittmar said.

Candlelight and curtains set the mood in the small club nestled between the Taproom and the Coffeepot.

Some were stunned by the size of the venue.

“I came in here with expectations to see a huge stage, but it was really close and intimate,” said Raul Cisneros, nutrition and food sophomore. “Every comedian interacted with the crowd perfectly … it’s the ultimate club to invite a first date or a group of friends.”

Bryan Gutmann, who performed on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and won Funniest Person in Austin in 2007, said he enjoyed cracking jokes to a handful of seats Friday night.

“If they’re not really feeling you, the amount of people doesn’t matter,” Gutmann said. “So I like this room a lot — this crowd seems like a comedy crowd.”

The menu of neighboring Taproom is available to guests, complete with the pub and grub’s burgers, liquor bar and selection of more than 60 beers.

Aluotto said open-mic nights are every Wednesday and a show every Friday and Saturday keep them busy.

“We work 10 hours to make one hour and a half hours of comedy,” Aluotto said. “To make it the best experience of your week.”

Entertainment Calendar Wednesday

Mashed Potato Johnson, 6 p.m., Lonesome Heroes, Young Brothers, Speed Sweat, 10 p.m., Triple Crown Robbie Doyen, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Texas Renegade, 7-11 p.m., Gruene Hall Open Mic w/ host Opie Hendrix, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon Kent Finlays Songwriters Circle, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse

Thursday Zydeco Blanco, 6 p.m., Firewater Sermon, Sasquatch Holler, 10 p.m., Triple Crown The Captain Legendary Band, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Shawn Pittman, 7-11 p.m., Gruene Hall David Beck w/ Lindsey James, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon Forrest Wayne Allen, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse

Friday Mark Jungers, 6 p.m., The Belgraves, The Cassingles, Beer Gnomes, Los Bones, 10 p.m., Triple Crown Honky Tonk Heroes, Halloween w/ Horse Opera, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Leon Russell, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall Augmentally Ill w/ Elevated Living, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon Hayes Carll, 8 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse

Saturday The Beaumonts, Hognose, Alcoholics Unanimous, Costume Contest 10 p.m., Triple Crown Halloween Costume Party, Slow Rollin’ Lows, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Gary Claxton, Erik Hokkanen, & Friends, 1-5 p.m., Max Stalling, 9 p.m., Gruene Hall Halloween Horror Bash, 5 p.m., Chasca & The Rocky Horror Picture Show Revue, 10:00 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon

routine to encourage student participation.

Maricela Escobar, pre-communication studies sophomore, said the free T-shirts prompted her to attend the pep rally.

Lea Radick, captain of the cheerleading squad, said she was impressed by the turnout at the pep rally.

“I think it was very successful,” said Radick, exercise and sports science junior.

Radick said she worried about the lack of school spirit when she first came to Texas State three years ago.

“Now we’re moving up and we’re going to be as big as every other school in terms of spirit,” Radick said.

Radick said she hopes everyone comes to the homecoming football game to help cheer the EAT ‘EM UP CATS: Students gathered Tuesday at the LBJ Amphitheater for a Homecoming Kickoff Rally.

Bobcats on to victory.

Tina Phan/Star photo

Trends

6 - The University Star

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Paranormal Activity

Making

NOT INTENDED

FOR ALL

Adjustments

AUDIENCES

Texas State educates approximately 400 international students Bobby Scheidemann/Star photo INTERNATIONAL STUDENT: Her hometown is on the other side of the world, but Liudmila Litvinova, business administration graduate student, has now made her home here Texas State.

By Jovonna Owen Features Reporter Liudmila Litvinova travels home once a year, but to do so she has an eight-hour flight across the Atlantic, followed by a seven-hour flight from Germany to Russia.

Litvinova, a business administration graduate student, is one of about 400 students in the international education program.

Bob Seese, director of the international office, said

students come from about 70 different countries.

Litvinova said she was selected by Texas State.

“I was going to a university in Moscow, and after I was recruited, I came here on an athletic scholarship,” Litvinova said.

While receiving her bachelor’s degree in 2007, Litvinova ran track and field at Texas State. In 2008 Litvinova ran with the Russian women’s 4x400-meter relay team in Beijing, China, win-

ning a silver medal at the Olympic Games.

Litvinova made friends through track who she still keeps in contact with today.

“When I was in Berlin running for the world championships, I got e-mails from my friends saying it’s the first and probably the last (time) when they are going to cheer against the U.S. and cheer for Russia,” Litvinova said. “It was so sweet of them.”

Litvinova said her biggest obstacle was adjusting to American English because she had learned British English in school.

“I didn’t know what pants were,” Litvinova said. “I was saying trousers and people were laughing at me.”

Litvinova gave advice to international students who are new to campus.

“People here are very friendly, nice and willing to help you,” Litvinova said.

“As long as you are open, and communicate—not sit in your room and not talk at

all—you will be fine.”

Ippei Kido, French senior, said one of the reasons he chose to study abroad is because it was something his parents wanted but never had the opportunity to do.

“In a way they’re projecting their lives on me and naturally I felt like that’s what I’m supposed to do,” Kido said.

Kido moved to Texas from Chiba, Japan in 2004. He said after graduating he plans to go to France or Japan.

Kido said he did not have a problem making friends when he first arrived on campus.

“I was fortunate I lived in Canada for a year when I was in high school, so the language part was easier for me,” Kido said.

Kido said new international students should not try to put themselves into an “American Box” to try to fit in.

“A new environment is always hard, especially a dif-

ferent country and different culture,” Kido said. “Just be you and you’ll be recognized, and accepted as a person.”

Kido has not experienced any culture shock on campus but recalls one thing that seemed odd to him.

“Students coming to class in pajamas—I wouldn’t do it,” Kido said.

Kido said he enjoys meeting new people and his favorite place to hang out is the Hill Country Humidor on The Square.

“It’s a lot of locals, most over 50-year olds,” Kido said. “It’s an interesting place to see.”

Seese said the biggest challenges international students deal with are culture shock and language barriers.

“Even though there’s a big difference in language and culture, international students come here very determined to become successful,” Seese said. “They go on to do great things.”

Paranormal Activity should come with a disclaimer reading: Not intended for all audiences.

I am not referring to age – I’m referring to film preference.

For the amount of hype this film got before its initial release and the

By Brent Vickers subsequent wide Trends Columnist release, it has received a lot of criticism and backlash.

People were either saying the film was extraordinarily frightening or it was funny but not scary.

Consequently, this film will appeal to any horror fans, specifically the art-house horror community.

I personally thought it was good. There were plenty of “scary” moments, specifically the final 10 to 15 minutes. The style was reminiscent of many low-budget, grainy horror films such as The Blair Witch Project and August Underground. The movie was not too graphic, and it left enough to the imagination to satisfy fans of psychological horror.

I cannot say much about the movie without giving away aspects I feel would be better unknown to the viewer before viewing.

In fact, if I had any advice about the film, it would be to not watch the trailer and go in knowing nothing about Paranormal Activity, which is the route I took. I left the theatre more satisfied than my peers who reviewed the film previously.

But in any case, I loved Paranormal Activity. If you fancy yourself a horror fanatic, then you have probably already seen the movie.

If you are unsure about seeing the movie, my advice is to go because whether you think it’s scary or not, at least you will get some sort of entertainment.

I give it an A minus.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

c ro s s w o rd

diversions

The University Star - 7

Courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune

sudoku Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk

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TOday’s sudoku solution

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© 10/28/09 The Mepham Group.

Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

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Sports 8 - The University Star

DEFENSIVE DISTINCTION Texas State women’s soccer team’s Alissa Scott, freshman defender, earned her first-ever Southland Conference award Tuesday. Scott was named SLC Defensive Player of the Week after leading Texas State to two shutouts against Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Sports Contact, Lisa Carter – starsports@txstate.edu

Joe Knows

Favre Faces Packers This weekend, history will be made. It will be epic. It will be magical. It will be everything you hoped it would be times 10.

It has been built up and written about Joseph O. Garcia since the moment he Sports Columnist signed on the dotted line. Brett Favre is returning to Lambeau Field in Green Bay. If you think this guy gets way too much attention, you’re probably right. But it doesn’t matter because the media are giving the people what they want, right? In fact, FOX has moved Sunday’s game from 12 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. for the audience.

You can’t say the casual NFL fan is not interested in this particular match-up. This is Joe Montana in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform playing Steve Young and the San Francisco 49ers. It’s the old Super Bowl-winning veteran playing his old team against a rising star at quarterback.

The Vindication Bowl is what the game was labeled – Joe Montana vs. Steve Young. Much like Montana, Favre has led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory.

At the time of their game, Young had not won a Super Bowl much like Aaron Rodgers has yet to do.

Favre’s return to Lambeau Field is his first as a member of the Packers’ hated divisional rival, the Minnesota Vikings.

Favre is a legend in the Green Bay area, but some fans have burned his jersey and will never forgive him. Lambeau Field was his home for 16 years and if his first game against the Packers was any clue, he should play as if it still is on Sunday.

People love to see this stuff, as evidenced by the Oct. 5 Monday Night Football game between the Packers and Vikings. It was the most-watched program in cable history with 21.8 million viewers.

This week’s game takes place of the previously scheduled game of the New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles. That kickoff was moved to 12 p.m. to accommodate an overlap with a potential the Philadelphia Phillies World Series game. Since the Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, the team is hosting game 4 of the World Series Sunday.

Ironically, it was a baseball game that conflicted with the first Favre vs. Packers meeting.

The NFL refused to budge when the one-game playoff between the Tigers and Twins was set for Oct. 5. at the Metrodome in that situation. Instead, the baseball game was bumped to Tuesday.

The NFL was more than willing to make the accommodations for the MLB this time.

Moving the Eagles’ game to an earlier kickoff would “help ease the burden on city service and law enforcement personnel who work at the two Philadelphia stadiums and staff the parking lots shared by the teams,” according to an NFL press release.

The Giants-Eagles game would have drawn good ratings, but Favre’s return to Lambeau Field is the most anticipated and hyped game of the year – and rightfully so. It will be Favre’s personal Vindication Bowl and should certainly be a game to remember.

It’s easy

to be green

By Anthony Medina Sports Reporter “Green man” suits, drums, soccer and Boko may seem random when put together, but they all have something in common.

Boko’s Army is a group founded by Joshua Higgins, communication design senior, to support the women’s soccer team. He wears a “green man” suit to be more visible in the stands while trying to distract the opposing team.

The drums are used to help with chants and songs during tailgating before and in the stands during the game.

Higgins, president of Boko’s Army, decided to create the group after attending games in the beginning of the season.

“We were at the game and it was kind of dead,” Higgins said.

“People were sitting there being spectators and not fans.”

Higgins wanted to support the team by modeling a group after professional soccer franchises,

such as the Houston Dynamo.

Ryan Maskell, communication studies senior and Boko’s Army member, agrees fans at the soccer game were not up-to-par with other sports fans.

“Everyone was polite and whispering to each other, but we didn’t want that,” Maskell said. “We wanted to be more rambunctious.”

Higgins has organized tailgates before each home game in the parking lot by the West Campus Fields.

“You’ll see us and hear us if you go to the game. There is no way to miss us,” Higgins said.

“We invite (people) over and tell them to come have a hot dog and soda with us.”

Boko’s Army plans on doing things a bit differently at the next tailgate.

“We’re going to try to unveil our new banner,” Higgins said.

“It should be pretty intimidating and noticeable.”

The unveiling of the banner comes before the team’s I-35

Rivalry game against Texas-San Antonio. Texas State enters the game as No. 1 in the Southland Conference with a 12-5-1 overall record and a 7-0-1 record in SLC play.

The game is set for 7 p.m.

Friday and is the last for each team before the Nov. 5. SLC Tournament .

“We have a couple of new chants that are specific to UTSA,” said Maskell, who believes any game against UTSA is an important one because of the rivalry.

“We’re trying to increase membership so we’re going to have a louder group over there.”

The I-35 Rivalry gives a chance for Boko’s Army to expand, but whether it does still remains to be seen. Maskell believes students have an opportunity to experience what organizations have to offer, even if they do not join Boko’s Army.

“I think that people need to be involved on any level in anything, and Boko’s Army is one way to do it,” Maskell said.

Stacie Andrews/Star file photo SOCCER SUPPORT: Boko’s Army was founded by Joshua Higgins, communication design senior, to support the women’s soccer team.

‘You’ll see us and hear us if you go to the game.

There is no way to miss us.’

—Joshua Higgins communication design senior

Extreme sport takes skill, practice

By Blake Barington Sports Reporter It may never be considered the “American sport,” but paintball has been a popular hobby for decades.

Paintball started in New Hampshire in 1981 with 12 players participating in the first-ever game. Hayes Noel, Wall Street stockbroker, and Bob Guernsey, ski shop owner, made the rules of the game.

Paintball first arrived at Texas State when Austin Wells, pre-psychology junior, and Hunter Davis, international studies senior, were freshmen in 2006. The sport club

was added the following year.

Texas State acquired Ryan Brand, criminal justice graduate student, to coach the club this year.

Brand formerly played for the XFactor professional team based in San Antonio.

The paintball club has two teams consisting of 11 players each.

Tournament paintball is played on a field with inflatable bunkers, which are spread evenly on both sides of the field.

“The field can also be broken down into ‘shooting lanes,’” Wells said.

“When we walk a field before a tournament we not only look at bunkers

we will move to, but also what angles and shooting lanes we will have from that particular bunker. Tournament paintball is quite different from traditional paintball and requires a lot more skill or practice than people usually presume.”

Positions for paintball include front, middle and back. If a front player is eliminated, the mid-player may have to fill his position while the back player makes a “call,” letting the rest of the team know he was eliminated.

The Texas State paintball club participated in the University of Texas Open this weekend, which consisted of 18 teams. Texas State placed

seventh and 12th.

“This was a successful event considering the amount of new players we fielded for the event,” Wells said.

“In addition to that, the teams who did beat us were some of the top names in the (National Collegiate Paintball Association).”

Texas State is now ranked 16th in the NCPA. Other Southland Conference schools that are ranked include Sam Houston State at 34th and Stephen F. Austin State at 40th.

Texas State will face North Texas Nov. 14 in Dallas. The Mean Green are currently ranked first in the NCPA.